Patterns of dosage regimen instructions regarding topical medicines: how is the information perceived by patients?

Autores da FMUP

• Andreia Sofia Costa Teixeira

  Autor

• Luís Filipe Ribeiro De Azevedo

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Teixeira, M
• Bento, C
• Vasconcelos, V
• Bahia, MF
• Torres, T
• Morna, C
• Castro, E
• Vidal, DG
• Sousa, HFPE
• Dinis, MAP
• Almeida, I.
• Almeida, V

Unidades de investigação

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina da Comunidade, Informação e Decisão em Saúde

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

ABSTARCTBackground The communication of dosage regimen instructions by physicians is of utmost importance on treatment adherence. Few studies until now have approached the topical treatment adherence subject. Objective This study aims the characterization of dosage regimen instructions given by physicians and the assessment of chronic dermatological patients perception regarding these instructions. Methods Two instruments one for physicians (PHYSDOSAGE) and one for patients (PATIENTDOSAGE) were developed and applied in a cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study to two independent samples composed by 91 physicians and 43 patients. Results Most of physicians reported to provide dosage regimen instructions. When cross checking information from both studied samples, physicians and patients, it was concluded that physicians reported to provide more frequently oral and written treatment instructions, e.g. electronic prescription, than patients reported having received it. Also, physicians claimed to often provide information about the duration of treatment and the frequency of topical medicines application, which was not acknowledged by patients. Conclusions Contradictory results were found between the physicians information input and the patients perception about dosage regimen instructions provided during the consultation. These findings could negatively influence the treatment adherence and the clinical outcomes. Thus, it is of paramount importance the implementation of strategies to improve optimal communication of dosage regimen instructions for topical medicines.

Keywords

• Chronic dermatoses; dosage regimen instructions; physicians and patients' communication; topical treatment